Hunt : The Pyre of the North

Her legs and lungs burn from the effort - Rohzenn‘s survival instinct kicked in so hard she ran long enough she lost track of space and time. She finds herself in front of an old door’s village, at a loss and heavy breathing. The Pyre of the North is nowhere in sight, only the path he took remains like an hiddeous, ashe black burning scar crossing the frozen land.

As if on autopilot, Rohzenn enters the village. Her throat and eyes are dry and her stomach growls in hunger - yet she doesn’t feel it anymore. The monster did not spare the small town : many houses and barns are lit ablaze as its inhabitants struggle to save as much as they can from the fire. Locals rush around in every direction, some sharing orders and water to be as efficient as possible, others bringing chickens, pets, supplies, kids and elders to safety. The main square buzzes with loud noises and energy and Rohzenn catches yet another headache.

 « Are you alright ? » A caring voice asks from behind. Rohzenn jumps at the contact of a hand on her shoulder and stares back. A middle-aged woman stands before her, tired eyes and cheeks red, in a long cotton dress and general attire that informed Rohzenn she probably was a peasant. « Sorry honey, did not want to scare you. You’re not from Sommerang. Do you need help ? Are you one of those mages ? You don’t look like it. »

She blurts out questions too fast for Rohzenn to catch up, but the thief’s gaze falls on the food held in the woman’s arms, apples, a few eggs, juicy oranges, an eggplant and two huge salads.

Are you real ? Rohzenn signs, hesitant. 

Her vision blurs as she realizes why she’s asking. She still notices the woman studying her hands, the look of sympathy yet clear lack of understanding that crosses her face. Every fucking time. She fucking hates it. Pity pity pity.

« Apologies dear I can’t read. Look, you seem shaken. Probably met that monster uh ? What ‘bout you take some time to cool down, drink, eat, and then you help us get our shite together, yeah ? We could use more hands, we gonna get busy all day. Sounds good to you ? »

Rohzenn’s ire dissipates into the wind. She wipes her face with a trembling arm and gives the woman a weak nod. She feels like a frightened child all over again.

 « Good. Take your time. It’s gonna be okay dear. ‘lways is in the end, Grace be upon us. Follow me. »

Rohzenn complies as the farmer brings her to a more secluded area near the main square. Three kids are wrecking havoc with broken sticks for spears while the fourth one jumps from bench to bench in absolute boredom.

« Valkin, get down here, we don’t need a broken leg of top of everything today, » she sighs. Once at his side, she gives him the supplies she carried. « This my kid. Always looking for trouble, but sharp wits and a good heart. And Valkin, this is… » The woman raises an eyebrow at her.

Rohzenn crouches down - she ignores the pop of her knees. With a stick, she carves her name into dust.

 « Rohzenn. I’m Maggy, by the way. Valkin, bring some water to her yeah ? You can eat together there’s enough for both, » she nods towards the food. « Then join me when you’re ready, we got work to do. I’ll be just there near the main barn, gathering supplies and water. Call me if you - I mean. Eh, whatever, you got it,» she shrugs and it makes Rohzenn smiles just a bit. « Please keep him from trouble he never stops. Food’s on me. »

Valkin runs to get water as his mother shouts « You hear kiddo ? You better behave, » she warns without any heat. When Valkin answers a lazy « yeah yeah » from his small home, Maggy nods, satisfied, rolls up her sleeves and walks away.

 « You can’t speak ? » Valkin asks as he comes back, head tilted to the side, a carafe and glasses in his hand.

Rohzenn nods no. She doesn’t want to bother with the nuances of communication today.

 « But you can write ? »

She agrees. The rush of adrenaline is wearing down and Rohzenn feels empty.

 « Cool ! » he shouts as he grabs a small journal and pen laying on the ground. 

The kid starts babbling as he grabs some food for both of them, then gushes about his little doodles and scribbles on his small journal. He asks for advice on his drawings, asks if she recognizes what it is, and can you help me with this one I don’t know how to do it ? So Rohzenn does. She listens everything, happy to drown the silence of her thoughts and full of gratitude for the food. She didn’t get a proper meal in such a long time she had almost forgotten how it felt ælike.

« Are you staying ? » Valkin asks. « It’s cool ! The others don’t want to draw with me,» he pouts.

I will stay to help, she writes down. Then I will go to Faline.

 « Your home is there ? »

Yes, she lies, because home is complicated.

Valkin seems happy to be able to blurb to a friend, under the watchful eye of her mother from the other side of the square. Rohzenn indulges the kid for awhile, but there is a lot of work still and the thief has a meal to pay back for. She can help extinguish the remaining small flames, gather wandering chickens, pick up materials… Valkin prefers the chickens option, while Rohzenn just asks Maggy where to start. Together, they join their efforts to help the small town. Rohzenn is exhausted mentally but edible, no, actually delicious food and plenty water fuels her damaged body enough for the day. So she pushes through the haze to pay them back, two more arms will definitely be useful after the passage of the Pyre.